Murder pair jailed for life

Robert Field, 22, and Gareth Powell, 29, were both convicted of murdering the 41-year-old from Bucknell, near Craven Arms, who died after he was doused in petrol and kerosene and then set alight.

Mr Black's girlfriend, Sylvia Marie Smith, 22, of Cherrybrook Close, Hope-under-Dinmore, Leominster, was jailed for 12 years, half of which will be in custody and half on licence, after she was found guilty of conspiracy to murder and perverting the course of justice.

Smith's mother, Sylvia Jane Smith, 42, and her stepfather Steven Smith, 46, also of Cherrybrook Close, were each jailed for four years, half of which will be served behind bars, after they were convicted of perverting the course of justice.

Field, of Etnam Street, Leominster, was told he would be considered for parole after 23 years and Powell, of The Grove, Shobdon, Leominster, was told he would be considered after 20 years.

The court had heard how Mr Black was doused in petrol and kerosene and set alight at his home in The Square on December 8 last year. He died in hospital two days later after suffering 40 per cent burns.

Mr Justice Roderick Evans, sentencing at Worcester Crown Court today, said: "This was an horrific killing. It was brutal and it ensured that George Black, between the period when you poured accelerant over him and he died, suffered.

"That was undoubtedly for him and his family a period of distress and suffering."

The judge said he was satisfied that Field was armed with an accelerant and that Powell had a metal bar and was there as back up in case any of Mr Black's friends were in the house.

Judge Evans accepted Field had feared for his safety after Mr Black found out about his affair with Sylvia Marie Smith but told the defendant he "should have and could have dealt with that threat in a lawful way".

By Hannah Costigan at Worcester Crown Court